Protests have dogged the ongoing visit of the Dalai Lama to Taiwan, where he arrived on Sunday at the invitation of the Democratic Progressive Party. Meanwhile, religious groups on the island have gathered in Kaohsiung County to remember the victims of Typhoon Morakot.

The Dalai Lama was greeted by protesters as he arrived at a suburban Taipei train station. Demonstrators were loud and clear in their expressions of dissatisfaction.

"Go home Dalai Lama, don't come here."

The Dalai was scheduled to visit Shiao Lin Village, in Kaohsiung County, on Monday morning. Demonstrators also waited for him in the lobby of his hotel.

Some said they will protest throughout his visit, because what he is doing is just a publicity stunt, and brings no actual help to the victims of the typhoon.

On hearing of his visit, the villagers of Shiao Lin said it would have been better to offer concrete help to the survivors, rather than comforting the dead.